The Portland daily press., 1887-07-29
Treasurer EurIeigh and the State
Bonds.

Mr.. George III. Kendall is president of a
concern called the New York Bank Note
Company. BE is, too, it turns out, the au-
thor of the communication that appeared in
the Eastern Argus charging State Treasurer
Burleigh with jobbery In connection with
the contract for engraving the new State
bonds. Mr.. George II. Kendall has now
written an opaa-letter to the people of the
State OF Maine, which appeared In the Bos-
ton Globe OF yesterday, in which he insinu
ates the same charge he made more directly
In the Argus. Yet, in all the facts that he
presents, Their is not a single enc on which
reasonable man could base even susp-
cion that Treasurer Burleigh had acted ex-
cept intelligently, honestly, fairly, and for
the best interest of the State. But there are
some that place Mr.. Kendall, himself, in
anything but an enviable light.
The act authorizing the issue of bonds
committed all the details entirely to the dis
erection of Treasurer Burleigh 1t did not
require him to call for proposals for having
the bonds engraved. 1t did not suggest such
thing. 1t left everything to his judgment
Soon after the act was passed, it appears
that Mr.. e. p. Baker, president of the Ham
iton Bank Note Company, wrote to Mr.. J.
ID. Manley about the printing Of the bonds
Mr.. Manley turned the letter over to Mr.
Burleigh, who courteously wrote Mr.. Baker
that he should be pleased to see specimens Of
the Hamilton Company's work and to get
their prices. On the fourteenth OF June.
Mr.. Burleigh, after consulting with Gov.
Bodwell, and City Treasurer Hersey of
Portland, who had just received bonds from
the American Bank Note Company, and was
much pleased with them, concluded to give
the contract to the American Company.
up to this time the New York Bank Note
Company and its President, Mr. Kendall,
had not appeared in the natter at all. But
on June q Mr.. Kendall wrote Mr.. Burleigh
asking chance to compete for the contract.
He knew at that time that Mr.. Burleigh had
notified the Hamilton Bank Note Companv
that 1t had been decided to let the American
Company do the " ork. The very next dav
before Mr.. Burleigh could possibly hay rec
ceived his letter, he wrote this note to the
Portland Argus:
NEW YORK, June 20, 1887,
Editor Eastern Argus, Portland, Ne:
MY Dear Slr,-l think you can find job of con.
for the engraving of the new issue Of bonds of the
State Of Maine 20 the American Bank Note Com
paDy OF New York. Mr.. Burleigh has shut out all
the other companies from competition. and has
awarded the contract to them.
This letter is not for publication, but If the mat
ter is of sufficient interest for you to investigate
we will furnish you the powder and shot and
assure you some Of the latter will be red hot l
can safely say this opinion is conceded with by
the other outside companies.
Very respectfully,
GEO. H. KENDALL.
There was practically nothing to base the
lnslnuations of this letter upon. But Mr.
Kendall was angry because a rival company
had got the contract. The letter shows
what kind OF man Mr.. Kendall is, and
after reading it the people of Maine will
not shed many tears because the work was
not given to his company The gun that Mr.